Author's Note:
Rejoice ! another chapter has been finished took a long time longer than planned since IRL stuff got in the way and going to Doctors appointments
As always PMs are open and etc and hopefully next chapter is to your enjoyment as we all write this story
With our version of Volume 9
An We apologize if the chapter looking Kinda Rushed or weird
Till next chapter, Apzeta and Bishop
[ Ever After– Neo's Manor ]
Neo-Roman (chuckles darkly): You don't deserve to die, Red. You deserve to be broken down… casually releases the leaf … Torn apart… wiped from existence.
The multicolored leaf drifts lazily, falling into the teacup with a soft plop.
Ruby hears the sound. Her eyes narrow as she turns swiftly, Territory Scythe already raised. Her breathing is shallow, anger bubbling just beneath the surface.
Ruby (hoarse): I won't let you—
Before she can finish, Neo somersaults over her. Hush gleams, potshots fired mid-air.
Ruby spins her scythe, blocking the shots with sheer precision, but Neo-Roman grins and pulls the trigger on his Melodic Cudgel.
The blast strikes Ruby clean, sending her skidding back from the table.
Neo-Roman (chuckling): Still got that fight, huh?
Neo lands gracefully in his arms. Roman smirks and sets her down like a dance partner.
Neo-Roman (sneering): I'm gonna enjoy—
Everyone at the table, eyes closed, eerie grins wide: …Watching you break.
Ruby freezes as every person—Penny, Pyrrha, Lionheart, Ironwood, Ozpin, Clover—slowly rise in unison, porcelain smiles plastered on their faces.
Neo-Roman kneels behind Neo. Neo turns her head slightly, offering Ruby a mocking closed-eye smile.
The malice surges inside Ruby. The Fighting Jackal Armor's visor glows blood red. Her breath trembles as the Forceriser hums at her waist.
Then—she moves.
With a burst of inhuman speed, Ruby dodges between strikes. Neo-Penny's Floating Array opens fire, beams slicing past.
Neo-Pyrrha lunges, spear gleaming. Lionheart swings wildly with his weapon.
Ironwood fires precise shots with twin pistols.
Ruby moves like a phantom, afterimages trailing her steps.
Neo-Ironwood (coldly): Who were you to think you knew what was best for Atlas… or that terrorist?
Ruby flinches at Akira's mention.
Neo-Pyrrha (eyes closed, smiling): I was the best and brightest Beacon had to offer…
Ruby lands on the chandelier, panting, but Pyrrha's words cut deeper than weapons.
Neo-Pyrrha: But I traded my life… so my friends could live!
Pyrrha hurls Miló. The javelin cuts the chandelier's chain. Ruby falls, crashing to the ground, Aura shattering.
Ruby (gasping): …No…
She scrambles toward her scythe but Neo-Penny lands, blocking her. Floating Array hums ominously.
Neo-Penny (mock sorrow): Just like you were too late to save me at the Vytal Festival… I died in Atlas too, didn't I?
Neo-Penny walks slowly toward Ruby, eyes blank.
Neo-Penny (softly, kneeling): Can you imagine what that's like? To be completely and utterly failed… time and again… by someone who meant the world to you…
Ruby shakes, teeth gritted. Tears sting her eyes as Malice becomes stronger within her
Ruby: SHUT UP!!
She grabs the Forceriser, slamming the "Force Executor" in and out.
Forceriser: [ Fighting Dystopia ! ]
The power surges painfully through her, like being torn apart.
But she forces herself through it, body trembling.
Blazing forward, Ruby retrieves her scythe mid-motion and slashes—
Ruby: Die Just Die !!!
—only for Neo's illusion to flicker and dodge.
Neo-Roman (grinning): Tsk. Should've known better.
Roman loops his Cudgel's curved end around Ruby's neck from behind, yanking her into a choke.
Neo-Roman (mocking): You ready for that drink yet?
Ruby claws at the weapon, teeth gritted. With a furious burst, she breaks free, stumbling forward—
—Only to meet Neo-Pyrrha's eyes.
Neo-Pyrrha (snarling): How many more people are going to die because of you?!
She twirls Miló, using the shaft to vault forward and slam both boots into Ruby's chest, sending her crashing into the wall.
Ruby (coughing, staggering along the wall): I… was just trying… to save everyone…
A sharp blow drives the air from her lungs. Neo-Ironwood's fist buries itself in her gut, pinning her against the wall.
Neo-Ironwood (cold): And yet with all your best intentions…
His voice hardens, leaning in.
Neo-Ironwood: Did you ever stop to wonder if you'd done more harm than good?!
He throws Ruby to the floor like she's nothing.
Ruby (desperate): It's not my fault…!
Weakly, she crawls toward Territory Scythe—but
Neo-Ozpin looms over her.
Neo-Ozpin (swinging The Long Memory): How many more lives do you have to ruin before you realize… you're not cut out to save anyone?!
With a snarl, he smashes the cane down. Ruby raises Territory Scythe just in time, metal shrieking against metal.
Ruby (screaming): NO!!!
Their weapons clash, sparks flying as Ruby forces herself to stand.
The Jackal Visor's red glare intensifies, matching the Malice in her eyes.
Neo-Ozpin (taunting): Come now… is this the best you can do? You're not special… You're just a little girl drowning in a world you can't fix.
Ruby (growling, eyes wide): I'M NOT DONE!!!
She shoves forward, overpowering Neo-Ozpin, sending him stumbling.
The room seems to twist—the illusions flicker—Neo-Roman still grinning.
Neo-Roman (chuckles): You're gettin' angry, Red. Good… let it out. Let's see what you really are underneath all that "hope" crap.
Ruby pants hard, scythe shaking in her grip, surrounded by the laughing dead. But the glint in her eye is unmistakable—she isn't breaking yet.
With a determined glare, Ruby shoves Neo-Ozpin back. She grips the Forceriser tightly and forces the Force Executor forward twice in quick succession.
Forceriser: [ Fighting Utopia ! ]
The black and gold glow flares violently around Ruby as the Fighting Jackal Armor sharpens. She launches forward with a final desperate swing.
Ruby: HAAAAA!
Her blade arcs through the air — but instead of Neo-Ozpin, it slashes clean through Neo-Oscar Pine.
The Long Memory drops from Neo-Oscar's body with a metallic clang, echoing as if time itself paused.
Neo-Oscar: (staring at his hand, blood staining his palm) R-Ruby…
Neo-Oscar's body slumps backward, lifeless. His eyes, wide with shock, dim. Ruby freezes mid-motion, the Territory Scythe trembling in her grasp as her expression shifts from fury to pure horror.
Ruby: No… No, no, no, NO! NOT LIKE THIS !
Ruby collapses to her knees, nearly dropping the scythe. Tears stream down her face as she stares at Oscar's body.
Neo-Penny: (mouth covered, muffled gasp)
Neo-Penny's form flickers—she becomes Neo-Yang, face contorted in silent disbelief.
Neo-Clover: (transforms into Neo-Qrow mid-step, voice breaking) Oscar… what did you do…?
Neo-Lionheart: (morphs into Neo-Blake, eyes narrowed with silent judgment and betrayal)
Neo-Ironwood: (shifts into Neo-Weiss, looking down at Ruby coldly) You… you killed him…
Neo-Roman steps forward from the shadows, his ever-present smirk widening.
Neo-Roman: Tch… Do you really think you can stand to watch more of your friends fall?
Ruby: Shut up… Just… shut up!
Neo-Roman: Or… are you ready to admit the truth? That the world would just be better off without you?
Neo-Jaune appears where Neo-Pyrrha once stood, flanked by Neo-Nora and Neo-Ren. All three look down at Oscar's body, silent tears flowing.
Their eyes drift toward Ruby, reflecting disappointment, sorrow… even hatred.
Ruby hyperventilates, gasping for air. Her hands claw at the dirt, chest heaving as if the world is collapsing in on her.
Ruby: I… I didn't… I didn't mean to…
She sobs, broken, until finally she collapses entirely, bowing down until her forehead touches the floor.
The Forceriser deactivates, the black and gold light of the Fighting Jackal Armor fading. Her body shakes violently with every breath.
Neo silently approaches Ruby, carrying the porcelain teacup—steam rising from its multi-colored liquid. She places it gently on the ground and nudges it toward Ruby with the tip of her boot.
Ruby, still trembling, lifts her head slowly. Her bloodshot eyes lock onto the teacup.
Ruby: (whispers) What is this…?
Neo kneels in front of her, her head tilted slightly, smirking. She motions at the tea as if offering salvation — or damnation.
Neo turns and takes a few steps away — but she freezes. Both she and Ruby's eyes widen as a figure emerges from the shadows…
The air grows cold. Static crackles. Emerging with haunting mechanical grace is the Ark—fully armored in All-Zero.
Ark: (distorted, mechanical voice) Do not drink it, Ruby Rose.
Ruby shudders at the sound, instinctively pulling away from the teacup. Neo tenses, grinding her teeth.
Ark: You did well… exactly as expected. But this tea is not your salvation… it's your death.
Ark's glowing red eye focuses on Ruby, while black data streams from its armor into the air like tendrils.
Ark: Accept what comes next… and rise.
Neo snarls silently, only for Ark to glance at her.
Ark: You played your part, Neopolitan. But this is where your control ends.
With that, the Ark turns its head. Behind it, Akira — separated from Ark — materializes mid-leap, brandishing the Thousand Jacker.
Neo barely has time to react.
Akira: I've had enough of your little show, Neo!
Akira swings, clashing with Neo hard, the sound of metal on metal echoing like thunder.
Sparks fly as Akira forces Neo back, rage and malice burning in his eyes.
Ruby watches with wide eyes, trembling but… relieved. For the first time in what felt like forever… someone—he—came.
Ruby: (whispers) Akira… you… you came.
The Ark stands over her in its floating form unreadable but commanding.
Ark: Ruby Rose… You are now part of MetsubouJinrai net
The teacup shatters beside her as Ruby slaps it away, glaring up at Neo and the illusions with renewed rage.
Ruby: I'm not your puppet… not anymore.
The Ark rushes towards Ruby with the Ark-Driver now in Ruby's waist
Ruby's breathing is heavy, the argument with her team, the fight with Neo, and Akira's intervention all flooding back. Her crimson eyes narrow.
Ruby (thoughts): They never understood… but maybe… maybe MetsubouJinrai wasn't wrong… Maybe Akira wasn't wrong…
Akira steps beside her, silent but observant, his expression unreadable. Ruby's hand slowly opens.
From dark swirling data, a jagged, blood-red Progrisekey materializes in her hand— Ark-Rose.
Ruby stares at it, the cracked rose emblem reflecting her inner turmoil.
Akira smirks faintly, satisfied.
Akira (calm): "She's ready…"
Suddenly, Akira kicks Neo back toward Ruby.
Neo crashes, skidding along the ground, clones shattering. Neo stares wide-eyed—actual fear in her expression.
Cue arrival of Weiss, Blake, Yang, Jaune, and Juniper.
They freeze at the sight of Ruby—with the Ark-Driver
Yang (stunned whisper): "...Ruby?"
Ruby turns slowly, locking eyes with them—expression cold, distant.
Weiss (shocked): "What… what did you do to her?!"
Blake: "Ruby, stop this… that's not you!"
Jaune (furious): "Akira, you monster! Did she ascend because of you?!"
Ruby stays silent—expression pained, but resolute.
Curious Cat suddenly sprints, panicked.
Curious Cat: "No, no, no, no! I needed her!"
The Cat claws desperately at the vine-covered hole.
Curious Cat (growling): "You fools… you ruined everything."
Suddenly, a powerful roar sounds from the Tree—ominous, foreboding.
Curious Cat (slowly turning, sneering): "No matter… I've found a better solution."
The Cat turns toward Neo—trembling in her seat, dazed.
Jaune: "No… don't…!"
In a flash, the Cat fires a roaring beam, slamming Weiss, Blake, and Yang into the manor walls—shattering stone.
Jaune and Juniper barely catch themselves.
Jaune: "Damn it!"
The Cat's body mutates, growing larger—white with black square patterns.
Curious Cat: "You've lost something most important, haven't you? And now you have nothing left. (grins) An empty host… perfect for me to fill."
Neo's eyes widen as the Cat lunges, forcing itself down Neo's throat.
Jaune (screaming): "No! Neo! Don't let it—!"
Jaune lunges, trying to grab the Cat's tail, but misses.
Neo convulses, her eyes rolling back, iris turning to a checkered pattern.
Neo slumps—silent—before slowly rising, a monstrous grin forming.
NeoCat: "(mocking) The Rusted Knight… how tiring your sob story's become."
NeoCat turns, sharp teeth gleaming, cat-like pupils glowing.
NeoCat (mocking): "This body… will do."
Jaune (in disbelief): "Neo…"
MetsubouJinrai arrives—Sougo, Tsukasa, Kaito flanking Akira. Adam, Amethyst, and Onyx stand ready.
Sougo (eyes narrowing): "We're late."
Tsukasa (sighs): "Typical."
Kaito (grins): "Looks like it's getting fun."
Ruby looks at the Ark-Driver, heavy breathing
Ruby (weakly, holding out the Forceriser and Fighting Jackal Progrisekey): "Take them… Akira…there...yours"
Akira (soft smile, nodding): "Good work, Ruby. The mission's almost done."
Akira gently takes his gear back.
Amethyst: "That thing… it's not Neo anymore."
Onyx (snarling): "Let me tear it apart."
Yang (still in shock, voice breaking): "Ruby… why…?"
Ruby: "Because… you left me no choice."
NeoCat: "(grins) It's too late. Neo is mine now… and soon, everything will be."
Ruby: Stop speaking and Die Cat
Ruby activities the Ark-Rose Progrisekey
Ark-Rose Progrisekey: [ Ark Rose! ]
Ruby exhales shakily.
Ruby (whisper): "Henshin…"
She slams the Ark-Rose Progrisekey into the Ark-Driver.
Ark-Driver: [ Singurize! ]
The ground cracks. Shadows swirl. Blood-red petals swirl like blades, cutting into the earth as the dark liquid metal wraps around Ruby, screaming from the power and pain of the transformation.
Ark-Driver: [ Loneliness. Pain. Betrayal. Punishment. ]
Ark-Driver: [ Ark-Rose! ]
Her armor forms — deep crimson, sharp thorns protruding, the cracked rose chest emblem pulsing dark energy. Her blood-red eyes burn behind the cracked rose helmet.
Ark-Driver: [ Those who have betrayed the ones they trusted and loved will be punished for the sins they have committed. ]
The ground trembles as NeoCat towers over them, the corrupted form of Neo grinning.
Everyone stares in disbelief, breaths shallow — until the air turns heavy with killing intent.
The Riders step forward.
Akira (voice like steel): "Henshin..."
Amethyst, Adam, Onyx (together): "Henshin!"
Forceriser: [ Forcerise! ] [ Sting Scorpion ] [ Screeching Nevermore ] [ Dynamiting Lion ]
Slashriser: [ Burnrise! ]
Slashriser: [ Burning Falcon! ] — The strongest wings bearing the fire of hell. (Falcon screeching)
Forceriser: [ Breakdown ]
In a blinding flash, each Rider dons their unique armors — Akira's sting-like armor gleaming with lethal precision, Amethyst's Nevermore form emitting screeching pulses, Onyx's Lion gun roaring, and Adam's wings bursting into crimson flames.
Tsukasa, Kaito, Sougo step forward — faces grim.
Tsukasa (sighs): "No point in holding back. Let's go."
NeoDecaDriver: [ Kamen Ride: Decade! ]
Kaito (grins): "Been waiting for this."
NeoDiendriver: [ Kamen Ride: Diend! ]
Sougo (soft smile): "Henshin."
Zi-O Ridewatch: [ Zi-O ]
Ziku-Driver: [ Rider Time ] [ Kamen Rider: Zi-O! ]
The sound of transformation echoes. The battlefield is now divided — WBYJ watching helplessly as power beyond them takes the stage.
Yang (shaking): "We… we can't stop this."
Weiss (clenching fists): "Ruby… what have you done…"
Blake (guilt-ridden): "She chose… because we pushed her…"
Jaune (gritting teeth): "We might have stay back. This isn't our fight anymore."
The Riders surge forward, engaging NeoCat. The creature snarls — Neo's face flickering — but it's the Cat now.
NeoCat (mocking): "Come then… let's see what your little automatons can do."
Akira (coldly): "Finishers — now!"
Forceriser: [ Sting Utopia! ]
Acid Analyzer lash out, binding NeoCat. He yanks hard — sending it flying — then leaps up, acid-coated leg rearing back.
Akira: "Get over here—!"
With a brutal sidekick, he impales NeoCat mid-air — purple energy blades stabbing deep.
Amethyst: My turn
Forceriser: [ Screech Dystopia! ]
Her Nevermore form lets out an unholy scream — soundwaves warping space as NeoCat shrieks in pain, its form distorting.
Onyx (roars): Gun it down till it's done !
Forceriser: [ Dynamiting Dystopia! ]
The massive Shooting Starmight cannon forms — rounds firing rapidly, slamming into NeoCat.
He then ignites his dynamite sticks and throws them — a magenta explosion engulfing the monster.
Adam (Visor burning): Going to burn everything !
Slashriser: [ Inferno Wing! Burning Rain Rush! ]
Wings deploy — he flies up, delivering a searing kick, followed by a side-kick drenched in flames. NeoCat shrieks as Adam lands gracefully.
Kaito (grinning): "Let's amp it up."
Kaito aims the NeoDiendriver at MetsubouJinrai — shooting Final Form Ride cards at them.
NeoDiendriver: [ Final Form Ride: Scorpion! Nevermore! Lion! Falcon! ]
MetsubouJinrai is forcibly turned into massive weapons — scorpion tail, Nevermore wings, lion's maw, and falcon talons
Kaito equips each one of them and then fires them all at NeoCat, ripping into the creature.
Tsukasa (calm): "Zi-O… now!"
Sougo (nodding): "Here I go !"
Ziku-Driver: [ Finish Time. ]
Time warps — Sougo slams a kick that collides with NeoCat, halting its movement, separating the Curious Cat's essence from Neo's body.
Ziku-Driver: [ Time Break ! ]
NeoCat (screaming): "NO! I'M NOT DONE—"
The Cat's form flickers — leaving Neo's body momentarily free.
Ruby (cold whisper): "My turn."
She steps forward, fingers trembling but steady as she slams her finger on the Ark-Loader with every step
Ark-Driver: [ Akui / Kyōfu / Funnu / Zōo / Zetsubō / Tōsō / Satsui / Hametsu / Zetsumetsu / Metsubō! ]
The ground fractures — the sky darkens.
The cracked rose glows — she slams the Progrisekey
Ark-Driver: [ Perfect Rose Conclusion Learning 10! ]
Blood-red petals swirl like a maelstrom. Ruby stands tall — voice breaking with rage and sorrow.
Ruby: "You took everything… my Dreams… my hope… my choice…"
The ghostly darkened rose forms — petals spinning faster, condensing into the massive energy sphere swirling with black and crimson light.
Ruby's black wings snap open — she leaps into the sky, fist cocked back. She slams her fist into the sphere — the impact is cataclysmic.
The air implodes — everything disintegrates in a wave of Malice. The Cat's form is consumed, its screech silenced. The environment shatters, leaving nothing but a crater of oblivion.
Silence falls.
Yang (screaming): "RUBY!!!"
They all stare — as the smoke clears, Ruby stands alone — Ark-Rose armor cracked but still standing.
Akira (satisfied smirk): "Perfect."
Sougo (quiet): "It's done…"
Tsukasa (sighs): "Time to finish our job…"
Tsukasa steps forward, eyeing the sky, then glances at Akira.
Tsukasa: "I'll destroy this world… the Ever After ends now."
Ruby (cold): "Do it… burn it all…"
Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Jaune are silent — utterly broken.
Jaune (hoarse): "Ruby… you…"
Ruby (without turning): "It's over… Jaune. It's like you said You can't save everyone."
Akira walks to Ruby's side — hand on her shoulder.
Akira (softly): "You did good, Ruby"
The heavy silence lingers. NeoCat is gone. Only the crater remains, blackened and pulsing faintly before fading entirely.
Slowly… the Riders deactivate their Drivers.
The clashing colors of their armors peel away, leaving them in normal attire. MetsubouJinrai net — Akira, Amethyst, Adam, Onyx, and Ruby — stand silent and victorious.
Tsukasa, Kaito, and Sougo share a brief look before turning towards Yang, Weiss, Blake, and Jaune.
Akira wordlessly approaches the unconscious Neopolitan, still crumpled on the ground.
Without hesitation, he lifts her into his arms bridal style, Neo's face cold but oddly… gentle.
Amethyst: "Hey, Akira... When's my turn to get carried like that?"
Akira (without looking back, voice low): "Time and place, Amethyst."
Tsukasa (chuckling, pulling out his camera): "Heh… Guess this one's worth remembering."
The sound of the shutter echoes through the area
Tsukasa (suddenly serious): "But... it's too late for this place."
The skies turn gold, shimmering — the world itself glowing and groaning.
Tsukasa: "The Ever After's being destroyed…"
An Aurora Curtain bursts open, blinding light swallowing the area.
The ground trembles, the sky shatters — Tsukasa's portal their only exit
Tsukasa (commanding): "Through the curtain — NOW!"
With no choice, everyone rushes in. Akira, carrying Neo, leads his team. Amethyst, Adam, Onyx, Ruby follow.
Kaito grins lazily, waving the others in. Sougo offers one last glance at the crumbling Ever After — then follows.
The curtain engulfs them — and then — silence.
[ In Between Worlds ]
They land in a place alien, otherworldly — a different plane of existence.
Floating planets, endless space, a kaleidoscope of shifting colors — time and space woven together.
Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Jaune stagger as they adjust. Ruby stands motionless, while Tsukasa Kaito and Sougo barely react — used to this.
Jaune (groggy): "What… Where are we?"
Tsukasa (coolly): "Welcome to a place between worlds. You're safe… for now."
He glances at Jaune — his smirk softening.
Tsukasa: "But there's something I should do first."
Another Aurora Curtain appears — swirling around Jaune.
His rusted armor fades — his beard and age vanish — until...
Jaune stands young again, armor gleaming — but white streaks run through his hair.
Jaune (staring at his hands, then his reflection in shield): "I… I can't believe it. It's been so…" (hearing his voice cracks) "This… is what I sounded like?"
Yang (choked): "Jaune…"
Tsukasa (quiet): "A gift. But… don't waste it."
Kaito (smirking): "Sentimental, huh? Rare for you."
Tsukasa (shrugs): "Remnant's next. Destruction and rest."
Blake (shaking): "What… what do you mean?"
Tsukasa: "Multiple Rider Worlds. Each one bound by fate. Your world — Remnant — is on the brink. It's next."
Weiss: "So what… it ends like the Ever After?"
Sougo (nodding): "Not the first time that's happened."
Tsukasa (glances at Akira): "Your call. You… and her."
Akira: "Then let's finish this."
Tsukasa: "Back to Remnant."
He snaps his fingers the Aurora Curtain opens taking everyone back to Remnant
[ Kingdom of Vacuo ]
They land — hard — on hot sands.
The sun blazes overhead. In the distance, Vacuo's capital city looms — Shade Academy rising like a beacon.
Airships circle above — Vale, Mistral, even Atlas banners wave. The massive Amity Colosseum — refitted into a floating fortress — gleams above the desert.
Jaune, Yang, Weiss, and Blake stare in awe.
Jaune: "We're… home…?"
Yang: "Vacuo…"
Weiss (eyes narrowing): "Amity's… different. They rebuilt it."
Blake (nervous): "We missed so much…"
Behind them, the portal snaps shut — sealing their return.
MetsubouJinrai stands to the side — Akira, Amethyst, Adam, Onyx, and Ruby watching.
The silence breaks — Yang steps forward, to Ruby
Yang: "Ruby… please… just — talk to us."
Blake (pained): "We… we didn't know it'd come to this…"
Weiss (softly): "We made mistakes. But you're still our leader… our friend."
Jaune (desperate): "I… I'm sorry. For everything. Please, Ruby… Come back."
Yang (stepping forward): "Let me—"
Ruby steps back sharply, eyes cold.
Ruby (voice hollow): "No. I said 'I quit' — and I meant it."
Yang: "Ruby—"
Ruby: "Yang just no Yang. This… is the path I chose."
A sound cuts through the tension — a Bullhead's engines roar overhead.
It lands nearby — its hull marked with a new emblem:
Zaia Enterprise
The side door slides open — inside Trilobite Magia waiting.
Akira (calmly): "Time to go."
Amethyst (grinning): "Took long enough."
Adam (cold): "They're wasting their breath."
Onyx (silent nod)
Akira hands Neo's unconscious form to the Trilobite Magia, who receive her without question.
Ruby (softly): "I… I made my choice no Conclusion has been reached."
Before anyone can stop her — Ruby's Semblance flares — she vanishes in a red blur, appearing inside the Bullhead.
Yang: "RUBY! WAIT!"
The Bullhead engines ignite. Ruby stands inside — gaze locked forward, refusing to meet their eyes.
Akira (smirking): "Let's move."
The Bullhead lifts — Yang, Weiss, Blake, Jaune left staring helplessly as it rises — the rift between them more than distance now.
Weiss (whispers): "She's… really gone."
Yang (voice breaking): "Ruby…"
Tsukasa (quiet): "And so it begins. Remnant's final chapter."
Kaito (grinning): "Can't wait to see how this one ends."
Sougo (softly): "She made her choice… Now it's ours."
The Bullhead vanishes into the horizon — carrying Ruby Rose… farther from her team than ever before.